Working within the Commercial Real Estate team, I have advised both small and large companies, as well as individuals with leases, purchase and sale agreements, co-ownership agreements, contracts, land use agreements, easements, and negotiations, along with other tasks on the Commercial Real Estate team.I also work with various other departments on matters including litigation, landlord tenant issues, contracts, and negotiating. My diverse background and ability to translate legalese has been quite useful in making me a “utility player” for the firm, being able to handle a wide range of tasks.

• In-house attorney providing day-to-day advice and counsel on all matters related to financial institution.• Responsible for litigation in multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insurance, contracts, consumer protection law, credit reporting, telephonic protection legislation, general liability, deeds and title, repossession and foreclosure, debt collection, as well as various other claims. • Prepared plain English summaries of legal findings for internal review, including by the Board.• Reviewed and resolved claims of various sorts to avoid costs related to retaining outside counsel.• Selected and supervised outside counsel, including assisting in formulating case strategy, facilitating transfer of information, assistance with discovery, and review and approval of legal documents and filings.• Drafted, reviewed, and approved internal policies and procedures.• Formulation and management of internal projects with the purpose of allowing the credit union to operate more efficiently and cost effectively.• Drafted, reviewed, and edited contracts related to leasing, real property, insurance, financing, and vendor relations.• Provided counsel regarding internal governance issues.• NCUA Certified Compliance Officer.

• Managed law firm specializing in bankruptcy (Chapter 7, 13, and 11), real estate; litigation, personal injury, consumer law, contract review and negotiation, and corporate matters.• Made frequent court appearances, conducted, and defended depositions and other sworn examinations, conducted discovery, drafted motions and briefs, reviewed and processed financial and legal information.• Experience in project management, related to sale and financing of large real estate transactions, contract negotiation and review, and business restructuring and leasing.• Oversaw large projects with multiple people and/or entities with competing goals; ensured legal compliance and obtained legal authorization for related matters.• Acted as main point of contact for clients, attorneys, and courts on all matters related to the firm in a high-volume practice, returning calls and emails within 24 hours.• Served in in-house capacity for several smaller businesses, serving as main point of contact on all legal issues within the business. Services included business formation, leasing and contract issues, loan and lease workouts, obtaining appropriate insurance, assisting with obtaining financing, formulation of strategy and advising on various legal issues, asset protection, and defending claims and lawsuits. • Created budgets and financial plans for clients to give them the best chance of being financially successful in the future.• Lead counsel for prevailing party in the United States Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit matter of Branigan v. Davis, 716 F.3d 331 (4th Cir. 2013), a seminal case involving mortgage lending and lien releases that dramatically changed the landscape of consumer bankruptcy practice; case has been cited in hundreds of opinions and law review articles.

• Managed all aspects of Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy matters, as well as civil litigation and consumer matters, including attending vast majority of related trials, hearings, meetings of creditors, contested matters, adversary proceedings, depositions, and examinations under oath. • Served as first chair of federal trials and evidentiary hearings, with successful outcomes.• Served as point of contact for clients regarding all matters managed by the firm.• Drafted and argued motions and pleadings including motions for summary judgment, motions to avoid lien, motions to value collateral, objections to claims, discovery motions, and various responses and oppositions.

• Within three years of being admitted to the Bar, promoted to supervise and manage first-party insurance department, including staff of five attorneys and eight support staff.• Served as trial counsel for various civil litigation matters, including matters related to high profile litigants that drew extensive media attention.• Managed fraud investigations, primarily on behalf of insurance companies, which included witness interviews, site inspections, document review, planning and review of surveillance, and litigation. • Practiced various areas of law including insurance, commercial litigation, premises liability, contract, HIPPA compliance, and personal injury law.• Extensive involvement in pre-suit first party insurance claims, including examinations under oath, claims assessment, and claims resolution.